Welcome to The ULTIMATE and BEST Christmas Events and Activities in DFW for 2018. I’ve spent hours curating, updating and adding to this collection and I’m proud to bring this post to you for the SEVENTH year in a row. I hope you enjoy building precious memories with your family from the list below.

HUGE GIVEAWAY!!! Enter to win an Epic Helicopter Holiday Lights Tour for TWO at the bottom of this page!

Plus, don’t forget to FOLLOW me on INSTAGRAM for TONS OF FABULOUS GIFTS that will be given away throughout December!

FORT WORTH

The 36th annual Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place features five festively decorated homes. This tour features homes from a 1919 treasure, to beautiful homes from the 1920’s, 1940’s, and even a mid-century traditional ranch style home. This year’s home tour has many different examples of period architecture for everyone to enjoy.

Bring your boat or watch boaters participate in this annual Christmas lake tradition. The Parade of Lights will include prizes for Best Decorated Boat in three different categories and Best Costume. The parade will start at Eagle Mountain Marina and end at the Fort Worth Boat Club.

December 1, 2018; 6:00-9:00 PM

Christmas High Tea: Fort Worth Botanic Garden 76107 You are cordially invited to celebrate a Holiday High Tea. Dress up in lace and pearls for this magnificent event. Be sure to make RESERVATIONS! Space is limited.

December 8, 2018; 3:00-5:00 PM

Christmas in the Stockyards: Fort Worth Stockyards 76164 The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District will host its annual Christmas in the Stockyards on the veranda of the Historic Livestock Exchange Building, inside Stockyards Station and along East Exchange Avenue. Western Heritage activities for the entire family include caroling, face painting, Pawnee Bill’s Wild West Shoe, a cattle drive, photos with Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, and much more.

View Christmas lights in style with private transportation. The best part is that you can leave the driving to someone else and just enjoy the lights! Silver West Limousines offers fab Holiday Light Tours to many destinations around the area. Call Brian for info on packages, pricing, and to book your tour at 817-870-1333.

Shop a wide range of local merchants and artisans vendors at the second-annual The Clearfork Holiday Market. This free, family-friendly evening event features festive fun with Santa Claus, Reindeer, Music, a North Pole Mailbox and More!

Holiday food and beverages available for sale from Central Market, Dough Boy Donuts, and The Beignet Bus.

This Gingerbread Decorating Extravaganza has become a holiday tradition cherished by many in Fort Worth. Friends and families gather for fun and festivities, and the patients of Cook Children’s Medical Center are the beneficiaries.

Come celebrate the fourth year of Festivus! Tour the Fairmount neighborhood by bus to view the Christmas lights! Begin your tour atKent & Co. The Spacewhere you can enjoy refreshments and holiday activities. There will be a stop at Santa’s Village (Rosen House Inn) where you can take pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy carolers, and craft making activities and more! Hop back on the bus to return to The Space.TICKETS

December 18, 2018; 5:30-8:30 PM

Fort Worth Opera Christmas Concert: Kick off the holidays with friends and family and enjoy a FREE sing-a-long concert with us this December at the Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center Auditorium, Botanic Gardens of Fort Worth. Celebrate the season with the FWOpera | TCU Lesley Apprentice Artists as they perform a festive blend of classic carols, holiday songs, and opera favorites!

The Parade of Lights is the perfect way to end a great day of shopping, dining, and festive activities downtown. Kick off the holiday season watching the 100+ floats as they make their way around downtown. This year, you can enjoy the 65 foot Christmas tree in Sundance Square before the parade. RESERVED SEATING

TMS Gift of Lights is the LARGEST drive thru park in TEXAS boasting over 150 new LED light displays brought to you byChristmas by Zenith. Santa’s Village is bigger and better this year at 22,000 square feet! Be sure to visit the village to ride the miniature train and have photos with Santa.

Panther Island Ice: Coyote Drive-In 76164 Enjoy skating at Fort Worth’s only outdoor ice rink located at Coyote Drive-In. A movie ticket is not required to skate. Coyote Canteen offers seasonal food along with a full menu.

Enjoy a wine stroll through Stockyards Station and explore more than 20 unique shops carrying authentic wear with a Western flare and other custom goods while enjoying five tastings of hand-selected wines from Cowtown Winery. Enter the raffle to win awesome prizes including rodeo tickets, Stockyards historical memorabilia, Stockyards Station bucks, and more! Must be 21 years or older to participate.

Crockett Row’s family-friendly holiday celebration, Starlight Symphony, is back to make this festive season merry and bright! Set to the beat of favorite holiday tunes, Crockett Row will be transformed into a glowing wonderland with a 5-minute music & lights show every night in December.

Start off the holiday season with the Sundance Square Christmas tree lighting. See the spectacular 65 foot Blue Spruce come to light surrounded by decorative water fountains. Also in the Square are the four giant umbrellas covering more than 6,400 sq. ft. as they provide beautiful lighting displays after dark. Don’t miss many FREE special events including holiday choir performances, concerts and Santa.

November 17-December 31, 2018

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ADDISON

It’s the most dazzling time of the year! With millions of sparkling LED lights, Lights come on at 6:00 PM on November 23 as the Mayor of Addison flips the switch! There are special events and performances on select evenings. Be sure to attend and make Vitruvian Lights a family tradition.

November 23, 2018-January 1, 2019

ALEDO

The 41st annual Arts & Crafts Fair launches the holiday season and continues as a tradition. Shop at this day-long festival for unique and one-of-a-kind gifts from 50+ vendors! Celebrate the 18th Annual Christmas Tyme in Aledo with holiday fun, food, and entertainment for all ages. Lots of attractions are scheduled in and around downtown and local storefront businesses will stay open late, providing activities and refreshments for visitors! Santa and his reindeer will be stopping by again this year! Bring your friends and family and enjoy all that Aledo has to offer this holiday season! PS- Pop into The Bird’s Nest, they have great gifts for girlfriends and more!

December 1, 2018 Arts & Crafts Fair; 11:00 AM-7:00 PM

December 1, 2018 Christmas Tyme; 5:00 PM-9:00 PM

ARLINGTON

Bring your friends and family to the Downtown/University District to enjoy the Annual Holiday Lights Parade. See and hear the pageantry which ends with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the steps of City Hall. Don’t forget to bring your camera and take a picture with Santa after the parade at the Levitt Pavilion in Founders Plaza at 100 W. Abram St. Pre and post-parade activities include music, food, vendors, and a screening of the movie “Elf”.

For more than 30 years David Kulesz has decorated his house with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, sparking his neighbors to follow suit. Don’t miss this amazing display that encompasses 2 cul-de-sacs and 14 houses. Mr. Kulesz’s light display is in honor of victims suffering from Alzheimer’s. A sign in his yard gives the address to make donations to theNorth Texas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.

You will find a world of enchantment at this wondrous Christmas extravaganza! Visit the most scenic wonderland in Texas with 2 million lights as well as the largest Christmas tree in North Texas. Make lasting memories as you glide along on the skating pond or navigate your way through the world’s largest maze. The children will enjoy the mini maze. Shop and take in the live entertainment. Enchant offers something for everyone and even includes a VIP experience you won’t soon forget. This is definitely A DON’T MISS!! There are a limited number of tickets for each night, so book early.

This breathtaking wonderland is perfect for the whole family, so gather your loved ones to enjoy sparkling lights, glamorous decorations, festive scents and seasonal treats, playful activities, hair-raising rides and heartwarming shows with over a million lights and a real snow-packed Frosty Snowhill! A holiday must for the young and the young at heart. You can’t go wrong with this standard Metroplex favorite.

Check out Santa’s Toy Factory! You can test new toys and even digitally design your own! Get the Fast Pass to see Santa. There will also be a special PJ Nights where you can visit Santa and take photos.

Celebrating its 45th anniversary this year, more than 200 homes make this one of DFW’s largest holiday light displays and one of the very first and original of its kind, enchanting visitors with their extravagant Christmas lights, decorations, and displays. Voted “Texas Best” Christmas lights by viewers ofTexas Country Reportertelevision show.

BEDFORD

Visible from state highway 121 with more than 1 million lights, a full, life-sized 20-piece nativity scene serves as a visual reminder of the true meaning and reason for celebrating Christmas. New this year is Christmas Town. This kid-friendly attraction includes an interactive 8-foot “JOY” sign, toy soldiers, a candy cane archway, Santa’s workshop, a gingerbread house, Olaf, Thomas the Train, and more! Daystar’s Scratch Cafe will be open every Friday and Saturday of December for holiday treats.

For over 27 years, the Glenbrook subdivision has told the story of “It’s the night before Christmas, in Texas That is” using colorful storyboards and decorations. The streets are lined with beautiful red lights and the houses are brightly decorated with colorful lights and displays. Start a new family tradition by visiting this neighborhood every holiday season.

BENBROOK

Winter Wonderland will come alive as it bursts into a display of twinkling lights & holiday decorations. Capture the spirit of the season immediately following the annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Fireworks Show at Dutch Branch Park. Follow the tunnel of lights and you’ll wind up at the new “Vernon Castle” display.The Christmas illumination runs every evening through the New Year.

December 1, 2018; 7:00 PM

CARROLLTON

Bring the whole family to this popular celebration! Victorian carolers and Santa Claus will be spreading holiday cheer. Enjoy cookies and ornament making at our annual event to welcome the season! Walk through the historic 1909 home to see its festive decorations. Informal tours are available throughout the evening.

December 7, 2018; 6:00-8:30 PM

CLEBURNE

Experience over 30 attractions and the Biggest Backyard in Texas with the New Texas Tubin’ Hill. VISIT SANTA in the Barn! Roast marshmallows at Santa’s S’more Station, scour our field for the perfect tree for your home or go into our 30,000sq feet big barn and shop the imported trees while supplies last! Don’t miss going in the Haymarket for the ornament selection and Christmas decor and Christmas gift shopping.

Your kids will LOVE this Christmas wonderland!! Just a short drive down the tollway and you’re transported to Hulen Park turned magical village with more than 3.5 million lights, parade, and entertainment.

For 47 years, Candlelight has been a tradition among families. With 13 acres of decorated buildings, flickering candles lining the paths, strolling carolers, carriage rides, and crafts for those young and young at heart, Candlelight captures the holiday spirit for all.

The entire SMU and surrounding communities gather for this joyous occasion to watch the famous Dallas Hall light up with thousands of lights in all its wonder. Our program begins with hot cocoa and cider accompanied by warm cookies to comfort everyone amidst the cold December of Dallas. People proceed to gather on Dallas Hall Lawn and listen to carols performed by SMU students. SMU’s President, R. Gerald Turner, reads the Christmas Story from his own family Bible! Upon the conclusion of the Christmas Story, Silent Night ends the program with the lighting of SMU’s stunning Dallas Hall and its surrounding trees.

Christmas at the Anatole is proud to feature new this year Peppermint Park! Activites will take place at the Anatole park and will feature games and activities for kids, visits with Santa Claus, holiday shows, train rides around the park, marionettes, light displays and more!

Deck the Halls and Welcome All: Christmas at the White House 2006 allows visitors a glimpse into the magical White House holiday celebrations of 2006. The exhibit will be adorned with recreations and decorations of the Christmas White House holiday, behind-the-scenes photos, and a replica of the Blue Room White House Christmas tree.

After the animals go in for the evening, the Zoo will transform into a winter wonderland with nearly one million twinkling lights. Stroll a 25-acre path and enjoy an array of light-wrapped trees, overhead and hanging light displays, lighted 2-D decorations, and 3-D light sculptures. Tasty treats abound including gourmet donuts, cookies, s’mores and spiked hot chocolate for adult guests. Choirs will provide entertainment, and there will be activities for children.

ELF The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he is actually human, Buddy’s enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner ELF.

Celebrate the Galleria’s 36th holiday season with a full schedule of events including daily Grand Tree Lighting Celebration, Illumination Celebration, Slappy’s Holiday Circus, carolers, visit Santa Claus in his village and so much more. Not to be missed are the Holiday Teas and Breakfasts with Santa at American Girl. Full schedule HERE

Be a part of history as you celebrate the oldest Christmas tradition in Dallas County. See the 5,000 red, blue, orange, and green lights as they illuminate the “Big Pecan Tree”. The celebration begins at 6:00 PM with live reindeer, Christmas treats, photo bus, and face painting. At 7:00 PM, the lights come on! The ceremony concludes with Santa arriving on a big red fire truck.

December 6, 2018; 6:00 PM

Highland Park Neighborhood: Armstrong Parkway & Preston Road 75205

Bring the family out to tour this mansion filled neighborhood! Start at Armstrong Parkway and Preston Road and wind your way through the streets to view the beautifully decorated homes. Be sure not to miss the Rheims to Mockingbird and Lomo Alta to Preston area! It is especially gorgeous and makes the perfect square! For thePrancerciser in you, try this 4 mile, 21 block walking tour. Start in Highland Park Village, head to Armstrong Parkway, work your way down Armstrong to Lakeside Park, boogie on over to Abbot, hook it over to Beverly and make your way to Douglas, then back to the Village.

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden present Holiday at the Arboretum featuring the return of the magnificent 12 Days of Christmas outdoor exhibit. The DeGolyer House features a new “Nutcracker Suite” exhibit, with a collection of more than 800 nutcracker figures on display throughout the historic home. The garden re-opens for evening hours for 12 Days of Christmas at Night exhibit, which is on display Wednesday through Sunday beginning November 8 through December 30. 500,000 lights illuminate the garden, architecture of the historic homes and light the canopies overhead-including a 30-foot-tall tree at the center of the property. Special Holiday Events and Activities: Elves’ workshop, karaoke, visits with Santa, photobus and much more will round out your adventure to the Dallas Arboretum. Be sure to make RESERVATIONS for the special activities!

Celebrate the holidays beginning with this fun day at Klyde Warren Park! Activities include kids’ crafts, face painting, food trucks, FREE photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a mailbox to send letters to Santa. There will also be as well as big band entertainment. The height of festivities is the Christmas tree lighting at 6:00 PM.

This winter, sprinkle the city with holiday cheer atop Reunion Tower’s GeO-Deck! Play Ugly Sweater Bingo, meet furry friends from the Dallas Zoo and take pictures with Santa and his elves! Holiday events are included with purchase of General Admission GeO-Deck tickets (kid’s crafts and koozies while supplies last).

November 24-December 22, 2018

Kessler Park Holiday Lights: Oak Cliff @ 1415 W. Colorado Blvd. 75208

Check out the five colorfully lit trees in the street island at Colorado and Lausanne with the beautiful Dallas skyline in the background. You won’t be disappointed! This is also a lovely neighborhood to drive around and see all the lights.

Reliant lights up the holidays at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, so bring your entire family for an evening of holiday magic. We’ll be illuminating the Center’s campus with dazzling LEDlights to celebrate the arrival of the holiday season! This FREE festival includes kids’ arts and crafts, a gigantic fireworks show and holiday concert featuring Sheila E., Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico and SANTA!

Since 1987, the Trains at NorthPark have been delighting the hearts and minds of young and old alike. This holiday family tradition has become a favorite for generations of Dallasites and includes 1600 feet of track rolling from coast to coast on a whimsical rail journey across America. The Trains travel from the autumn foliage of New England to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge with stops in New York City, Washington DC, Dallas, and the Grand Canyon.

November 17, 2018-January 9, 2019

DENTON

Bring the family for one of Denton’s most beloved holiday traditions! There will be plenty of live local music, food, family fun and joyful holiday spirit for this one-of-a-kind community event! The event is free with some food and activities available for purchase, all we ask is that you bring a toy for our toy drive benefitting Elves Shelves.

November 30, 2018; 5:30-9:30 PM

FARMERS BRANCH

This fun-filled evening includes a fabulous fireworks show, children’s activities, tours inside the festively decorated historical structures, refreshments, and of course, Santa will make an appearance.

Celebrate the season with family and friends during a guided tour of the “From Prairie to Posh” Christmas exhibit at the Historical Park. The exhibit offers a glimpse into the mid-late 19th century and spotlights how the average “citified” urban versus “country” rural family celebrated Christmas. Guests will be able to compare the similarities and differences in the decorations, gifts, entertainment and attire.

FLOWER MOUND

Join the Town in celebrating its 29th annual Christmas Parade! This year’s theme will be “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” The nighttime parade will have lighted floats parading down Spinks Road to Gerault Park. At Gerault Park, there will be a tree lighting ceremony with choir performances, pictures with Santa Claus, kids’ activities, local vendors, food trucks, and much more! Dress warmly and bring the family to this fun, FREE event!

Join Lakeside Plaza for the lighting of Lakeside’s 30-foot Christmas tree and the season-ending Lakeside Music Series. Other activities include live reindeer, treats, crafts, train rides, Santa, and carriage rides!

November 23, 2018; 6:00-9:00 PM

FRISCO

This will be the 13th year Frisco has hosted the largest choreographed lights and music show in DFW featuring 175,000 lights, 11.5 miles of wiring, and 8 miles of extension cords. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can experience SNOW flurries throughout the square every 15 minutes. Special events include trackless train rides, Santa’s workshop, carriage rides, outdoor ice skating rink and more! EVENT SCHEDULE

Enjoy a beautiful evening on Main Street with fun activities for the whole family! Santa will be there for photos, children’s choirs will perform, share holiday treats, and kids can shop at the Holiday Kid’s Store.

December 1, 2018; 5:00-9:00 PM

GARLAND

Come be a part of the Christmas cheer with your friends, family, and community at Christmas on the Square. Activities include visits from Santa, carolers, holiday movies at Plaza Theatre, and much more!

November 29-December31, 2018

GRAND PRAIRIE

Magical Winter Lights is a spectacular, larger-than-life festival that presents a fresh multicultural take on traditional holiday light shows. Let your imagination come alive as you enter the mesmerizing world of Magical Wonderland. From a whimsical forest to a mysterious pirate ship, Magical Winter Lights will guide you through a world you’ve only dreamed. See magical sights and lanterns that will take you to another world where you just might lose yourself.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Prairie Lights, you will be dazzled with 4 million lights set along 2 miles of path. Hundreds of ALL-NEW displays in shapes of all kinds line and arch over the roads. Halfway through the drive get out of your car for a stop at Holiday Village where you will find food, gifts, Santa, the brand-new indoor Snow Maze, and the Holiday Magic Lighted Walk-Through Forest. Once back in your vehicle, the second half of the drive ends with the very animated light tunnel – the perfect finale to a night you will never forget! EVENT DETAILS

November 22, 2018-December 30, 2018

GRAPEVINE

Come to the Christmas Capital of Texas for over 1400 events and activities for the entire family. See Grapevine sparkles with millions of lights, enjoy massive decorations, animated characters, and much more! Christmas in Grapevine is sure to become a treasured family tradition!

Just because you didn’t purchase your tickets way back in July for all the train ride fun at Christmas time, doesn’t mean you’ve completely missed out on the excitement. Still looking for something fun to do during your holiday break? Hop aboard the train with daily train excursions to the Fort Worth Stockyards. These tickets are NOT SOLD OUT!

Enjoy a Texas-sized spectacle of lights and sound. Join singing snowmen, Santa and Mrs. Claus, plus a few surprise guests as you sing Christmas Carols. See the Christmas tree light up and take photos with reindeer. Kids can make crafts, and there will be food for the entire family to enjoy.

‘Tis the season for holiday cheer on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad. The Christmas Wine Trains offer a great grown-up escape from the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Your holiday excursion includes a special meal and two complimentary glasses of wine, served in a special souvenir glass. No one under 21 allowed.

Christmas is back and better than ever at Grapevine’s Gaylord Texan Resort. With 2 million twinkling lights, 15,000 ornaments, an amazing 54-foot-tall Christmas tree, an 8-foot-tall gingerbread house, Santa’s Wild Workshop Snow Tubing, Cookies and Milk with Mrs. Claus and ICE! carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice. Check out the special bonus area – a LIVE ice carving zone. Watch a masterful ice carver create amazing sculptures before your eyes.

All Aboard! As the train departs and the anticipation of arriving at the North Pole builds, elves will welcome guests and sing traditional Christmas music aboard the beautifully decorated Victorian Rail coaches. Mrs. Claus makes a special appearance to give each child a “We Believe” silver Santa bell. Guests then arrive at the North Pole and walk along a snowy Christmas Tree trail, where, as they wait for an appearance by Santa, guests are entertained with songs and magical Christmas moments. Finally, Santa arrives! Santa wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and then shares his Frosty Chocolate Snow Milk served in a memory mug for all the boys and girls

Bring the entire family to the Parade of Lights, the largest lighted Christmas parade in North Texas. This Grapevine tradition features more than 100 lighted floats and marching bands. Look for Santa Claus on the last float! Come early to claim your spot along Historic Main Street to watch this exciting holiday event.

Santa’s Wonderland is more than 3,500 square feet of holiday magic and fun! With old-time model trains, arcades, carousel and free crafts every week. Get a free 4×6 photo and personalized digital Christmas card with Santa.

Enjoy the magic of the season with a visit to the North Woods. During Snowland!, guests at this family-friendly resort will experience an 84-degree indoor waterpark along with special visits from Santa, North Pole University activities, holiday carol sing-alongs, a life-size Gingerbread House, Santa’s Letter-writing Depot, daily Polar Wolf Walk, Great Clock Tower holiday show and a nightly Snowland! Story Time…all this and more with an indoor snowfall – right in the lobby.

It’s a floating festival of lights on Lake Grapevine with a parade of boats decorated in their holiday finest! This lighted boat parade starts at Twin Coves Marina and picks up entries at each marina, Scott’s Landing and Silver Lake, as it circles the lake.

Come experience how the Nash family celebrated in Victorian times. Learn about the roots of many Christmas traditions. Make a Victorian ornament to decorate your own tree. Cider and cookies will be available. Registration is not required and participants of all ages are encouraged to attend.

December 1, 2018; 3:00-6:00 Pm

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LEWISVILLE

Begin your fun filled morning with the Motorcycle Toy Run where as many as 1,000 riders are expected to participate in collecting more than 1,000 toys for local children’s charities. Santa will be on hand for photos and ornament making activities. The afternoon ends with the annual parade at 12:00 PM.

Old Town offers a day of fun family events including ice skating, pony rides, inflatables, community performances, and Lewisville Lights! tree lighting ceremony. End your evening with a screening of “The Santa Clause”.

December 1, 2018; 8:00 AM-9:00 PM Tree Lighting 6:30 PM

MCKINNEY

Eldorado is widely known for its extensive, theme-based Christmas lights and decorations. People come from all over North Texas each year to drive through the streets and enjoy this tradition. Eldorado is just another secret neighborhood gem in DFW with so many homes decorated for Christmas.

Enjoy viewing holiday lights in nature. Walk the ½ mile Heard Trail to view a beautiful light display designed to enhance the nature that surrounds you. There will be photos with Father Christmas and Mother Nature along with family-friendly entertainment. Hot beverages and treats will be available for purchase.TICKETS

Thanksgiving weekend marks the 38th year for this hometown Christmas celebration. Visit the 14-block area of McKinney’s 165-year-old commercial historic downtown for family activities, food, and entertainment. Enjoy a uniquely McKinney Christmas celebration with neighbors and visitors from near and far. It’s an unforgettable experience and a great start to the holiday season with entertainment, children’s activities, and of course, Santa! Tree Lighting is November 23 at 6:15 PM.

November 23-25, 2018

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS

Diamond Loch is another festive neighborhood that you can tune your car radio into a suggested local station and listen to holiday music while driving along their streets. You’ll avoid long lines and the fuss from well publicized holiday neighborhoods when you visit this NRH community.

RICHARDSON

Santa’s Village, a tiny town of 16 holiday dwellings on the north side of City Hall is a holiday tradition for families from Richardson and beyond. Each colorful building offers children a fun activity and even a visit with Santa Claus! Attendees can also enjoy live performances, holiday photo ops and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate or a snack. SCHEDULE

December 1-2, 6-9, 14-15; 6:00 PM

ROCKWALL

Celebrate the season in historic downtown Rockwall. The day begins at 9:00 AM with the Kiwanis Christmas parade celebrating the “Spirit of Rockwall”. After the parade, enjoy snow hill tubing, bounce houses, live entertainment, food trucks, and much more! The day of celebration will conclude with the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, cookies, hot chocolate, and craft workshop.

December 1, 2018; 9:00 AM-8:00 PM

SOUTHLAKE

Southlake is the perfect place for your holiday days and nights! With fun things happening throughout the holiday season, there is no better place to see lights, visit with Santa Claus, send letters with your wish list to the North Pole, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, taste delicious holiday fare and fill up your car with items on your shopping list! The full schedule of events HERE.

November 17-December 31, 2018

THE COLONY

This annual event will make its way through town with a bang. Enjoy all-day activities in and around town with Santa at the library and a light show at the fire station. The Parade of Lights will end at the park and feature festive holiday music, performances, holiday carnival games and rides and a holiday baking contest.

December 1, 2018; Parade of Lights at 5:45 PM

TROPHY CLUB

This holiday celebration is sure to become a family tradition! Come see the Christmas tree lighting, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas reading by the mayor, FREE Starbucks coffee, hot cocoa, sweets, and funnel cake, pictures with Santa, and many more fun activities.

WEATHERFORD

Get into the Christmas Spirit as you tour this festively decorated castle. This event is free and kid-friendly. Bring your camera and explore the Texas Pythian Home during Christmas at the Castle.

December 8, 2018; 11:00 AM-7:00 PM

GETTING INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT

Now you too can register your appalling, I mean ridiculously, I mean beautifully decorated abode right HERE and HERE, or at least find out who’s registered near you.

A UNIQUE & ROMANTIC WAY TO SEE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Anyone can load up their car with family or friends and head out for an evening of holiday cheer, but what about trying something different, maybe something you haven’t done before, EVER?

Well, welcome to Santa’s Sleigh Ride! Epic Helicopters is the largest helicopter tour operator in North Texas, offering several Christmas light tours from the sky! Experience the holiday magic in a genuinely Epic way when you climb aboard one of these whirlybirds. Make this a memory your loved ones will NEVER forget!

Oh, and they do gift certificates too, the PERFECT STOCKING STUFFER!

VITRUVIAN LIGHTS

HIGHLAND PARK VILLAGE

DOWNTOWN FORT WORTH

INTERLOCHEN LIGHTS

Well, folks, I hope you enjoyed this laundry list of fun. If you feel like I missed something, check my please let me know, and I’ll see if I can add it to the list.

Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to SoFortWorthIt via email, so you NEVER miss a fabulous GIVEAWAY and follow me on Instagram for even more giveaways and fun.

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SoFortWorthIt GIVEAWAY!!!

Enter to win a 30-minute Epic Helicopter Holiday Lights Tour for TWO!

Drawing a winner on Christmas morning for a departing flight from Meacham Field in Fort Worth Thursday, December 27th at 6:30 PM.

I must hear from the winner within 24 hours of announcement or prize will be forfeited to the next name drawn!

Please read all the official rules for this Rafflecopter giveaway! Good Luck!

Fall into Autumn with my personal favorite tips and tricks for hosting the ultimate outdoor social.

Dining al fresco surrounded by close family and friends is the optimal way to welcome the beautiful fall weather that’s right around the corner here in Fort Worth.

And boy, I am really looking forward to the change of seasons in the Lone Star State! Don’t let the door kick you on the way out, 110-degree weather!

Outdoor social events and patio parties have been a staple in my family since I was a little girl. I watched my mom throw both elaborate and opulent events, to the more simple of gatherings.

In my eyes, she was and still is the ultimate queen bee of entertaining. I enjoy following in her footsteps while putting my own personal touches and a little flair to my parties.

1. Please, Don’t Come In!

In order to avoid the doorbell ringing a hundred times, I will put a sign near the front door to direct people around to the back of the house. Not having to answer the door multiple times allows you as the host to enjoy mingling with guests.

2. Conversation Starters

When entertaining, I always have something humorous or a good conversation starter located at the bar. Usually, the napkins or Styrofoam cups do the talking, but I’ve been known to bust out a bowl of penis mints to get the ladies laughing.

Adding your own personal and/or humorous touch to parties helps create the belly-laughing moments that you and your friends will reminisce about for years to come. BTW, I always find lots of humorous goodies for entertaining at the Ft.Worth Junior Leagues’s Christmas in Cowtown Holiday Gift Market every October.

3. Garden Clippings

You can go hog wild with garden clippings when it comes to decorating your space for a patio party. Even if you don’t have blooming flowers on your property, different types of greenery make for a lovely botanical look.

Of course, you can always run to Central Market for some colorful stems to pair with your fresh cuttings. For this event, I actually did go to Central Market and I arranged the flowers the evening before.

4. Food for Thought

Sky’s the limit when it comes to feeding your guests, but when entertaining outside, be mindful of items melting or spoiling in direct sun.

Claudia Sheddy, the owner My Sweet Roots, has catered several gatherings for me, and I absolutely love her presentation of food. Every time I’ve used her, I receive calls the next day asking for her contact information.

5. The Bar Scene

Although I always have at least one server for parties, even patio parties, there are times when I love to set the bar up for self-service. There is always at least one invitee who takes the initiative to man the bar and pour the refills. It’s also the perfect way for guest to mingle with one another- especially if they have never met.

6. Stemware Don’t Care

Throughout the years, I’ve lost many Baccarat crystal glasses when I hosted parties. To minimize stress and broken stemware, I decided to keep my sanity and my crystal intact and invest in Riedel stemware from PS The Letter. If one of these glasses were to break, I’m not calculating additional cost in my budget for party planning. Phew.

Plus, there’s nothing better than enjoying a drink out of a Riedel wine glass. The impact you will experience from the shape and size of their grape varietal specific glasses brings out the true flavors of your wine grape. Ahh…

7. Always Overbuy

I always overbuy for an event to ensure I never run out- especially when it comes to the limes and alcohol. It is so much easier to return unused items than send someone to make another run right in the middle of your party. I also make sure everything I use for patio entertaining is disposable except for the serving pieces and stemware. This makes for easy cleanup and just an overall less stressful event.

8. For the Smoking Guests

Ashtrays are imperative. Although most of my friends don’t smoke, it never fails… a few cocktails in and a some of them will bust out the cancer sticks and get their social smoking game on. I can guarantee a few of your guests will be itching to light up a fresh stogie while enjoying the crisp fall evening at your party.

9. Let’s Get Comfortable

For this party, I set the bar up on the center table in the loggia, where people usually sit down to eat. Although there are plenty of fun places to serve drinks, being mindful of shade is crucial to keeping your ice from melting and glasses getting warm. Small details to consider such as making sure there are enough shady spots for guests to mingle around before the sun goes down. Keeping guests feeling comfortable and happy is imperative. It will also make you look like a seasoned hostess!

10. Big Ass Balloons

And sometimes, you just need a few Big Ass Balloons as your statement pieces to tie in the full look. This Dallas-Houston company knows how to float a party when it comes to helium. Big air, don’t care!

11. Keep Them Entertained

I usually add a bit of entertainment when I host an event. If it’s not a strolling magician, it might be a balloon artist, lip reader or DJ. But for this occasion, I turned the satellite radio on and piped in through the outdoor speakers.

SoFortWorthIt GIVEAWAY

All in all, keeping your patio party fun, lighthearted, relaxing, and simple will make for a great time! Don’t stress about the small details and don’t be afraid to hire a few extra hands so that you can enjoy your own party. So, sit back, relax, grab yourself a chilled glass of Rose, and make sure those Texas mosquitos don’t bite as you host a beautiful patio party of your own!

Now who’s ready to kick off these gorgeous temperatures with the perfect giveaway for your next gathering? One lucky hostess will win an entertainment spread to kickstart her next outdoor social.

– A Box of 4 Riedel Wine Glasses from PS The Letter $45

– Floral Arrangement from Fort Worth Central Market $35

– Big Ass Balloon gift certificate $50

– 2 Tickets for Christmas in Cowtown $25

Please read the OFFICIAL RULES & DISCLAIMERS located in the Rafflecopter link below.

It’s not often a heavy-hitter Hollywood producer and his beautiful wife move to town and make Fort Worth the perfect city to raise their children. And it’s not often a Hollywood producer’s wife reaches out to you the second their plane hits the tarmac. Ok, let me back up a couple of decades and share the bigger picture.

This wasn’t Angelique’s first rodeo to Texas. She was actually born in Fort Worth and attended Southwest High School with my cousins Clif and Cami, but for her junior year she hopped over to Arlington Heights High School, and that’s where the mutual friend thing comes into play.

Several years ago, Jason and I hosted an event at Del Frisco’s with Neiman Marcus in collaboration with Riedel Wine. We had a great turnout and everyone enjoyed the educational wine-tasting experience and gifts. Afterwards, Jason and I entertained our close friends in the basement wine cellar. That’s when Kristi Wilson introduced me to Angelique, and the rest was history!

Fast forward to the present, when Angelique and Mike De Luca made Fort Worth their new hometown, they both mentioned wanting to get involved with a few local non-profits and charities. Many institutions have been clambering for their attention, I mean who wouldn’t, but eventually, the De Luca’s hearts settled on founding member, Jean Roach’s beloved KinderFrogs, a family-focused, early intervention program that provides a developmentally appropriate educational environment for children with Down Syndrome and other developmental delays.

You know what that means! A very special party would soon be in the works. Last October the appropriately themed fundraiser, Hollywood Celebrates KinderFrogs, became the center of attention in the Who’s Who of Fort Worth’s upper echelon. Scoring an invite to this event would not be easy, and of course, it sold out almost immediately. If you weren’t quick to reply, then you weren’t going.

Months before, Angelique mentioned she and Mike were donating two tickets to the Academy Awards for the Leap Frog 2017 live auction. I told her attending the Oscars would be a dream come true, it was a bucket list item of mine and I was determined to check it off the list. She said it would be so fun if we went with them. The mission to win those tickets was on like Donkey Kong.

We laughed at the concoction of excuses I came up with on how to get away with winning this auction item. It was like a scene straight out of, “How To Get Away With Murder”. I was afraid to tell Jason for fear he would shut that fun down real quick, and I definitely didn’t want to tell my Dad because I knew he would knock some sense into my head. No time for that either! So, I called up our accountant to figure out what it would take to get me to the Oscars. After hanging up the phone, my mind was at ease. Now, all I needed was to let Jason know of my plan.

The night of Leap Frog 2017 finally came, and I was so excited I could hardly stand it. When we pulled up, the paparazzi were waiting at the red carpet flashing their camera lights to take everyone’s picture as they arrived. We checked-in and walked down the driveway to the De Luca’s backyard, which was transformed into a majestic scene of purple wonder.

The De Luca Family

Jean & John Roach, Founding Members of KinderFrogs

Lauren & Mark Yamagata, Honorary Chairs of Leap Frog 2017

I immediately knew this event had its A-game on when I spotted Daylan Sharpe and his very sharp team of service staff. They always set the tone of sophistication and perfection for any event. This outdoor soiree was lit, and in purple too. The floral and place settings complimented the Hollywood and TCU theme of the evening.

After a cocktail and mingling with friends, the dinner bells chimed and we all headed to the table. We worked our way over to the Dunaway Associates/Foundation table with our guests and the guests of President/CEO of Dunaway Assco. Tom Galbreath.

As we were enjoying a delicious catered meal from Jon Bonnell’s restaurant Bonnell’s, the presentation for the evening got underway.

Angelique & Mike De Luca

Mary Martin Patton, Dean of TCU College of Education

Mary Martin Patton with Co-Chairs Amy Yudiski & Diane Ayres

When dessert was brought to the table, I knew it was almost showtime. My hands began to shake in nervous anticipation for the bidding to begin. There were seven live auction items, and “Night at the Oscars” would be the last one on the list. Jason and I had actually instated a “no-bid on live Auctions” rule (several businesses over the years didn’t honor the donations we won at other charity events), but this time was different. The De Luca’s were our close friends, and we knew this was going to be legit!

As Scott Murray finished up the second to last auction item on the list, my heart started to race. The moment I had been waiting for all night was about to unfold. Scott starts in on the bidding. Several people raised their hands, I raised mine shortly after to let the auctioneer know I was in the game. My heart was pounding. I was hoping it wasn’t going to go very high, then one of our friends sitting with us raised his hand just to get a reaction out of me! I gave him the stink eye. He laughed. The bid kept going up. Many people had given up and dropped out. Even though I knew the money was going to a great cause, I still didn’t want to break the bank.

What felt like the longest live auction bid in history, finally came down to me and one other guy in the ring. It went back and forth between the two of us when another friend, sitting at our table, mentioned I was bidding against a billionaire. I mean really?!?! Can it get any worse? But, just as he said this, the bidding slowed. I thought, “I can’t give up now. What’ s an extra $500, just one more $500!”

And then it was over! Although the wallet felt pretty beaten up, in the end, it all went to an incredible cause. We won the Academy Award tickets and Leap Frog 2017 broke many records, raising $394,550, the most money for KinderFrogs in the event’s history.

Scott Murray

What’s Happening Next

Now, let me share with you the exciting things that are unfolding as we speak. Since January 2nd, I have been on a journey to go from drab to fab by March 4th, 2018. I restarted my super clean diet from indulging over the holidays, and I’ve have lost over 10lbs so far. I’m actually at the lowest I’ve been since I broke my back four years ago. Yay me! Nothing like having something to motivate you, right?

I also tried a few things I’ve never done before, including Botox and fillers. I went to the very best doctor in Dallas/Fort Worth and even live filmed the procedure on Instagram (you are following me there, right?). Before and after photos have been taken and I can’t wait to share the results, plus the incredible giveaway from his practice that you don’t want to miss.

This Week:

Get your sweet tooth ready, SoFortWorthIt followers! There’s a delicious giveaway hitting the blog this week that you do not want to miss!

Next Week:

Total hair makeover and Giveaway!

In Two Weeks:

Red-carpet makeover by the best in the industry and of course surprises for you!

And then:

Made-to-Measure Oscar dresses- you’ll see the entire process, start to finish, on how this designer for the stars has created a dress just for me.

Oscars Weekend:

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for LIVE, behind the scenes moments throughout our weekend in LA. The excitement is brewing, and I can’t wait to share it all with you.